10 Questions with ... Bryant (Bizzy B) McCain

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Have been a dj for over 20 years. Started in radio in sales 9a-5p and did the drive home mix show at the end of the day. I was offered the chance to start a new Urban station in the market. From mixer to PD! I've been a PD for eight years now and have switched from mainstream Urban to Rhythmic.

1. Why Radio?

Radio is still the medium that starts it all, will always be there and is still free. We depend on radio for music, news and entertainment. When you go into a doctor's office what's on? The radio. Most clothing stores have the station on that fits their demo. When the NBA's All-Star weekend was going on where were all of the parties advertised? The radio.

2. To date, what is the highlight of your radio career?

Creating an Urban radio station, from my own music collection, that grew into a top rated station in a market that wasn't used to the format.

3. KOPW fairly recently moved from being an Urban station to Top 40/Rhythmic. How has the move affected the station within your market?

It took our P1's a lot of getting used to. To go from Gucci Mane into Justin Bieber freaked some of them out, but we have to grow our audience and take advantage of the up beat movement music is making.

4. Tell me about your line-up and staff at KOPW?

Big Boy's Neighborhood in the morning- perfect for keeping our demo in line with stars and all of their drama. (And they're crazy).

Myself on the middays - I mix old school during the lunch hour keeps my upper end of the demo happy

Hot Boy does afternoons - Hot Boy has been with the station seven years and used to be a morning show producer. He has a great wit and great relationships with the listeners.

Edub- Mix show coordinator and he holds down the mixes on the weekends.

Houston Alexander- Our local MMA fighter who also host Sunday Night Raw, our local and independent artist show

5. You have interest in pursuing interests in film and television. If you are walking down the red carpet at the Academy Awards or the Emmy Awards, what category would you like to be nominated in?

Best Original Screenplay

Best Director

6. What would surprise newcomers about Omaha and living and working in Nebraska?

That it's not all cornfields! We are a big city in the middle of the map with plenty to do and a lot of events through here. Our station has upped the game as far as events and concerts. The College World Series happens here as well as the Olympic swim trials.

7. In addition to programming KOPW, you continue to mix at clubs and events in Omaha. What's the most important programming research you do at those events?

It's great seeing crowd reaction to new music. Also seeing what is new in the streets that we might not know of just yet. What works in the clubs does not always work in radio so it helps gauge what something may become. A perfect example is Flex by the Party Boyz. It's been in the clubs and streets for a minute, now, look out radio...here it comes.

8. Who do you consider your mentor(s)?

My old PD Erik Johnson taught me a lot even when I left to program a station against him he always looked out for me.

My current OM, Nevin Dane has showed me the art of musical balance when programming rhythmic radio and while still giving it the Urban flavor.

9. What do you think is the biggest single key to KOPW's success?

Giving the city what is has not had in a long time. A 18-34 demo station that plays music from the clubs, MTV, BET, and what's hot and relevant.

10. Where do you go to get away from it all?

I take two, one week vacations every year. In the early summer we take the kids to an amusement park somewhere warm, usually in Florida. In the late summer or early fall my wife of 13 years and I go somewhere we've never been last year it was Playa Del Carmen, Mexico. Maybe we'll go to St. Thomas this year.

If you were to leave Radio and music today and you could choose any other occupation, what would it be?

Filmmaking

If you were on a deserted island for two years and you could only watch one movie, one TV show and listen to one album, which of each would you choose?

• Movie - Goodfellas
• TV show - The Cosby Show
• Album - Jay-Z - The Blueprint